Alagar accuses NPA rebels of killing baby, wounding police chief, two others

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

CAMP Alagar yesterday pointed an accusing finger at the New People’s Army, blaming it for the ambush that killed a baby and hurt a Lanao del Sur town police chief and two others in an outlying village in Talakag, Bukidnon.

Three police officers were reportedly abducted by rebels.

Supt. Lemuel Gonda, Camp Alagar spokesman, said police regional director Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb immediately ordered the Regional Public Safety Battalion to launch a manhunt against rebels believed to be responsible for the ambush on Thursday night.

The ambush killed four-month old Wanida Laginlab Ali, who was was hit by a bullet, and wounded Amai Manabilang town police chief Insp. Joven Acuesta, Sitti Atali and Amin Lagindab Ali of Kili-kili, Amai Manabilang (formerly known as Bumbaran) in Lanao del Sur.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police spokesperson Chief Insp. Jemer delos Santos told local radio that Acuesta and his companions were using two vehicles and were headed to Lanao del Sur from Cagayan de Oro when a heavily armed group sprayed automatic gunfire at them.

Delos Santos said some of the victims could be relatives of policemen.

Acuesta reportedly fought back and was wounded while three of his aides were snatched by the armed group.

Jenny Love Labayo, a witness, said the attack was carried out at a secluded area in a hinterland barangay of Talakag.

Supt. Gonda said the police had to wait until yesterday morning to deploy officers to the area because it would have been roo risky to send law enforcers to the area on Thursday night.

“Nagpa-deploy na kaganinang sayo sa buntag. Wala kami nagespond gabii because of the unfamiliar and dark terrain of the ambush area,” said Gonda, adding that the police had anticipated a rebel “blocking force” in the area the night of the ambush.

He said the police was closely coordinating with the military.